In-vitro DNA and cell damage induced by 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT) and suppressive effect of selected phytochemicals against CMIT toxicity

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the present study was to measure in-vitro DNA and cell damage induced by 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT), one of the humidifier disinfectants, and to investigate the suppressive effect of various phytochemicals against CMIT toxicity. Methodology: In-vitro comet assay was performed to determine the degree of CMIT-induced DNA damage at single cell level by measuring the olive tail moment. Upon treating CMIT on the rat lymphocytes, the inhibitory effects of Vitamin C and several phytochemicals such as berberine, curcumin and resveratrol were assessed. In addition, MTT assay was used to examine the protective effect of resveratrol on CMIT-induced cytotoxicity in cultured lung cells. Results: In in-vitro comet assay, the increased olive tail moment induced by CMIT was effectively inhibited by Vitamin C, berberine, curcumin and resveratrol treatment. Especially, resveratrol showed the best suppressive effect against DNA damage by CMIT. In MTT assay, resveratrol also showed significant suppressive effect against cytotoxicity induced by CMIT in cultured lung cells. Interpretation: Phytochemicals such as Vitamin C, berberine, curcumin and resveratrol can be utilized in the development of preventive or therapeutic compositions against the injury caused by CMIT toxicity.